School Board | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published March 23, 2020 at 9:00AM

Alexandria Hospital Suspends Visitation — “Exceptions to Inova Health System’s Visitation Guidance can be made in extenuating circumstances and with prior approval from a care site’s administration.” [Zebra]

Man Convicted for 2016 Rape — “[P]olice in Alexandria — for the first time — ran DNA through public genealogical databases and developed a family tree based on known DNA profiles, which pointed to Bjerke as a suspect. After Bjerke was arrested, a buccal swab of his DNA matched DNA found on the victim.” [WTOP]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published February 25, 2020 at 8:00AM

School Board Approves New Budget — “The Alexandria City School Board has approved an Operating Budget for the 2020-21 school year focused on supporting students socially, emotionally and academically while also increasing graduation rates. The Operating Budget of $299.1 million is an increase of 4.4% on last year’s budget, in line with ACPS’ anticipated continued enrollment growth and needs.” [ACPS]

City Unveils New 311 System — “The City of Alexandria has launched a new customer service initiative called Alex311, to connect customers to more than 175 City services in a variety of convenient ways. The service includes new web, mobile app, social media and phone options to submit requests for service or information… Alex311 replaces the City’s previous Call.Click.Connect. service.” [City of Alexandria]

News

School Board Chooses ‘Forest’ Plan for New Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

By James Cullum

Published February 7, 2020 at 12:10PM

The Alexandria School Board unanimously voted Thursday night to advance the “Forest” conceptual design for the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

After more than a year of community meeting and planning, Alexandria City Public School planners are now feverishly working with architect DLR Group to make last minute adjustments, including adding a small community recreational space co-located at the school, before the concept goes to the city council for approval next month.

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MacArthur PTA Survey Finds Most Opposed to Affordable Housing on School Grounds

By ALXnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 10:00AM | Updated January 30, 2020 at 12:40PM

(Updated at 12:40 p.m.) A proposal to co-locate affordable housing on the grounds of MacArthur Elementary is unpopular with PTA members.

The MacArthur PTA recently conducted a survey asking how current and future MacArthur families felt about co-locating housing or city facilities on the site of the soon-to-be renovated school, an idea encouraged by the city and under consideration by the School Board.

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City Manager: Co-Locating Affordable Housing Would Not Have Major Effect on ACPS Plans

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2020 at 2:15PM | Updated January 29, 2020 at 10:45AM

Alexandria Councilman John Chapman (left) and Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks (right)

Alexandria is experiencing an affordable housing crisis, city officials say, and that means using school property to try to address the crisis should remain on the table.

School officials, however, are reluctant to rush through plans for housing at schools currently set for redevelopment.

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Designs for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Narrowed to Two Options

By Vernon Miles

Published January 22, 2020 at 2:15PM

Site Plan Y for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (photo via Alexandria City Public Schools)

The Alexandria School Board is scheduled to work on narrowing down the site plan for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School to two potential designs at its meeting tomorrow (Thursday) night.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Alexandria City Public Schools headquarters (1340 Braddock Place).

News

Superintendent Unveils Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Funds Budget

By James Cullum

Published January 10, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated February 5, 2020 at 2:02AM

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings released his $299 million fiscal year 2021 Combined Funds Budget on Thursday night, a 4.4% increase over last year’s budget.

The draft budget is nearly 500 pages, and includes increases to the Virginia Retirement System, a step increase of 2.63% for a majority of staff, a one-time bonus for those ineligible for a step increase and a market rate adjustment to counter rising health care costs. Hutchings is asking the city for $9.7 million, or 4.2% more than last year’s approved budget.

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School Board to Receive Budget, Discuss High School Project at Upcoming Meeting

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2020 at 10:45AM

The superintendent’s leadership reorganization, the fiscal year 2021 combined funds budget — as well as the reelection of the Alexandria School Board Chair and Vice Chair — are just a few of the items on the docket for Thursday, Jan. 9.

The ACPS budget process began in September and will conclude in May in coordination with the passage of the City budget. Additionally, the 2021-2030 Capital Improvement Budget was approved in November, and the Combined Funds budget priorities include:

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 23, 2019 at 6:00AM

Financing for Wegmans Development — “The developers behind Carlyle Crossing, the Wegmans-anchored mixed-use development going up near the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station in Alexandria, have lined up $253 million in financing for the project. ” [Washington Business Journal]

Five-Year-Old Found Wandering in Cold — “Authorities in Alexandria say a young child who was found out in the cold early Friday will be reunited with her mother… The 5-year-old was found near a Taco Bell location at the intersection of South Van Dorn Street and Edsall Road before 4 a.m.” [Fox 5]

News

Economic Status Plays Critical Role in Success in Alexandria Schools

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2019 at 10:45AM

Nearly 80% of all absent students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) were economically disadvantaged, and economically disadvantaged students represented 90% of students with out-of-school suspensions.

As the start of a long path to achieving equity in the schools, the School Board took a look at the sometimes startling figures behind who is being left behind in the current school system. The Board reviewed the data on suspensions, absenteeism, graduation rates and more at a work session on Tuesday (Dec. 17).

News

T.C. Williams High School Gears Up for Stadium Upgrades Next Year

By Vernon Miles

Published December 10, 2019 at 10:45AM

The Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium at T.C. Williams High School is falling apart, but a long-discussed renovation project is primed to start taking shape early next year.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) laid out a timeline for the upcoming improvements at a School Board meeting on Dec. 5. Staff said potential contractors will be invited to bid in January, with approval of a deal for the work set for March. After that, staff said work is expected to take place over the course of that spring and summer.